Oshawa Animal Care Advisory CommitteeMinutesTuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:30 P.m. - 7:30 P.m.Committee RoomPresent:Donna BensonMelinda Diebel, Barn Cat Co-opDianne Fil, Spay, Neuter InitiativesMJ Galaski, Animal Rescue KrewKimberley Mack, Golden RescueKelli Polsinelli, Wild Earth RefugeCouncillor Brian NicholsonAbsent:Kassie DicksonKim Marchbank, Team ChelseaAlso Present:K. Christopher, Council-Committee CoordinatorFelicia Bianchet, Council-Committee CoordinatorK. Feltham-Pittman, Manager, Animal ServicesPublic Meeting Krystal Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator called the meeting to order and advised that all members were participating from the Committee Meeting Room except Kimberly Mack and Kelli Polsinelli who participated electronically and Kim Marchbank and Kassie Dickson who was absent. Land Acknowledgement The City of Oshawa is situated on lands within the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and the signatories of the Williams Treaties, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations. We are grateful for the Anishinaabeg who have cared for the land and waters within this territory since time immemorial. We recognize that Oshawa is steeped in rich Indigenous history and is now present day home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We express gratitude for this diverse group of Indigenous Peoples who continue to care for the land and shape and strengthen our community. As a municipality, we are committed to understanding the truth of our shared history, acknowledging our role in addressing the negative impacts that colonization continues to have on Indigenous Peoples, developing reciprocal relationships, and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation. We are all Treaty people.Additional Agenda Items NoneDeclarations of Pecuniary Interest NonePresentations Legislative Services - Advisory Committees of Council Policy and Procedure and Election of Chair and Vice Chair 1. Advisory Committees of Council Policy and Procedure K. Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator provided a presentation concerning the Advisory Committees of Council Policy and Procedure. Councillor Nicholson entered the meeting electronically at 6:33 p.m. 2. Election of Chair of the Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee K. Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator opened the floor for nominations for the role of Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee for a one-year term.Moved byMelinda Diebel That Donna Benson be nominated as Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee for a one-year term.Donna Benson accepted the nomination of Chair. Moved byMJ GalaskiThat the nominations for the role of Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee be closed.CarriedThe vote to appoint Donna Benson as Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee. Carried3. Election of Vice Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee K. Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator opened the floor for nominations for the role of Vice Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee for a one-year term.Moved byMJ GalaskiThat Melinda Diebel be nominated as Vice Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee for a one-year term.Melinda Diebel accepted the nomination for Vice Chair.Moved byMJ GalaskiThat the nominations for the role of Vice Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee be closed.CarriedThe vote to appoint Melinda Diebel as Vice Chair of the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee.CarriedDonna Benson assumed the Chair. Animal Services - Report on Activities at Animal Services Kathy Pittman-Feltham, Manager, Animal Services, provided an update on the activities at Animal Services. The Committee questioned Kathy Pittman-Feltham.Delegations NoneReferrals from Council and Committees NoneCorrespondence NoneReports OACAC-25-01 - Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee 2025 Meeting Schedule 1.OACAC-25-01.pdfMoved byMelinda DiebelThat the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee 2025 Meeting Schedule be adopted as recommended. CarriedOACAC-25-02 - Community Resources Working Group Report on Pet Wellness Days 1.OACAC-25-02.pdfMoved byMelinda DiebelThat the Community Resources Working Group Report on Pet Wellness Days be received for information. CarriedCouncillor Nicholson left the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Items Introduced by Members OACAC-25-03 - Update of 2024 Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee Work Plan for 2025 1.2025 OACAC Workplan - proposed.pdfMoved byMelinda DiebelThat the 2024 Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee work plan be updated and approved as the work plan for 2025. CarriedOACAC-25-04 - Creation of a Community Resources Working Group Moved byMelinda DiebelThat a Community Resources Working Group be created to cover items in the 2025 Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee work plan under the headings: Services for vulnerable animals; Promotion & education; Fundraising support & network building; and, That Kimberley Mack, Dianne Fill, Donna Benson, Melinda Diebel and MJ Galaski be appointed to the Working Group; and, That MJ Galaski be appointed as Chair of the Working Group. CarriedOACAC-25-05 - Creation of a By-law Working Group Moved byMelinda DiebelThat a By-law Working Group be created to cover items in the 2025 Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee work plan under the headings: Bylaws & regulations; Wildlife; Other animals; and, That Melinda Diebel, Donna Benson and Kelli Polsinelli be appointed to the Working Group; and, That Kelli Polsinelli be appointed as Chair of the Working Group. CarriedAdjournment Moved byMelinda DiebelThat the meeting adjourn at 7:39 p.m. CarriedNo Item Selected This item has no attachments.1.OACAC-25-01.pdf1.OACAC-25-02.pdf1.2025 OACAC Workplan - proposed.pdf